Aimie K. Runyan Books in Order

Where to Start Reading Aimie K. Runyan

Aimie K. Runyan has built a diverse catalog that spans rich historical fiction and contemporary women's fiction infused with magical realism and culinary charm. Because the vast majority of her books are standalones, you can start almost anywhere. However, we recommend two primary entry points depending on your reading preferences:

• For Historical Fiction Lovers: Start with Daughters of the Night Sky (2018). This WWII novel is Runyan's breakout hit and tells the gripping story of Katya Ivanova, a Soviet pilot in the legendary female bombing regiment known as the "Night Witches." It perfectly showcases the author's trademark style: meticulous historical research mixed with deeply personal female resilience.
• For Series Readers: Start with Promised to the Crown (2016), the first book in her Daughters of New France dilogy. Inspired by Runyan's academic research into French Canada, it follows the brave women who crossed the Atlantic to settle a new world.
• For Contemporary/Magical Realism Readers: Start with The Memory of Lavender and Sage (2024). It is a heartwarming story set in a small French village that focuses on healing, fresh starts, food, and community.

The Daughters of New France Series

This is Runyan's only multi-book historical series. It should be read in publication order, as the characters' lives and the historical timeline of French Canada flow directly from the first book into the second.

1. Promised to the Crown (2016) – Follows three very different women who travel from France to the wilderness of Canada as part of the Filles du Roi (King's Daughters) to find husbands and build new lives.
2. Duty to the Crown (2016) – Continues the saga in the fledgling colony, focusing on the next generation of women facing new struggles, love, and cultural clashes.

Standalone Historical Novels by Publication Order

Runyan's standalone historical novels require no prior reading. They travel across different eras and settings, though she frequently returns to France and the conflicts of the 20th century. Here is how they were released:

• Daughters of the Night Sky (2018) – Explores the lives of the brave Soviet female pilots during World War II.
• Girls on the Line (2018) – Set during World War I, highlighting the "Hello Girls"—female telephone operators who served on the front lines in France with the US Army Signal Corps.
• Across the Winding River (2020) – A dual-timeline novel mapping a modern woman uncovering her grandfather's wartime secrets alongside a WWII romance and recovery narrative.
• The School for German Brides (2022) – A darker look at WWII Germany, exploring the lives of young women forced into Nazi bride schools, and the bond of survival that forms between them.
• A Bakery in Paris (2023) – A dual-timeline story set in Montmartre, Paris, comparing the struggles of a young woman during the 1870 Paris Commune with those of her descendant rebuilding her life after WWII in 1946.
• Mademoiselle Eiffel (2024) – A biographical historical novel centering on Claire Eiffel, the devoted daughter of Gustave Eiffel, and her secret role in safeguarding her father's legacy and the building of the Eiffel Tower.

Contemporary Fiction & Magical Realism

Runyan has expanded her repertoire to include contemporary women's fiction that features atmospheric settings, culinary themes, and light elements of magical realism.

• The Memory of Lavender and Sage (2024) – A food-centric novel about a woman who inherits a dilapidated cottage in Provence and finds her true calling in the local community.
• The Wandering Season (2025) – Follows a food broker who discovers she is adopted and embarks on a journey across Europe (Ireland, France, Italy, and Denmark) to track her roots, guided by mysterious visions of her ancestors.
• Missed Connections (2026) – A high-end chef and MICHELIN guide hopeful is given a magical chance to step back into her past decisions and explore alternative timelines of her life.
• The Perfect Vintage (Expected 2027) – An upcoming contemporary release continuing her signature blend of food, travel, and emotional journeys.

Collaborative Novels & Anthologies

Runyan frequently collaborates with fellow historical fiction authors J'nell Ciesielski and Rachel McMillan to write multi-part novels where their stories weave together through shared themes, locations, or items:

• Tales of Girls and Gadgets (2015) – The first volume in the Brave New Girls STEM-focused science fiction anthology series. Runyan contributed the short story "Flight of the Zephyr."
• The Castle Keepers (2023) – Co-authored with J'nell Ciesielski and Rachel McMillan, this novel follows three generations of women connected to Leedswick Castle and its mysterious poison garden.
• The Liberty Scarf (2024) – Also co-authored with Ciesielski and McMillan, this book tracks three women during WWI whose lives are connected across England, France, and America by a single Liberty of London scarf.

Chronological Historical Order (For Era-Specific Reading)

If you prefer to read Runyan's historical novels based on the chronological sequence of their historical settings rather than when they were published, follow this timeline:

1. Promised to the Crown & Duty to the Crown (Late 17th Century – French Canada)
2. A Bakery in Paris (Dual Timeline: 1870 Commune / 1946 Post-WWII – France)
3. Mademoiselle Eiffel (Late 19th Century to early 20th Century – France)
4. Girls on the Line (World War I – France)
5. The Liberty Scarf (World War I – England, France, USA)
6. The School for German Brides (World War II – Germany)
7. Daughters of the Night Sky (World War II – Soviet Union)
8. Across the Winding River (Dual Timeline: WWII / Modern Day – Germany & USA)